U.S. national team defender Steven Cherundolo will return to training with the ball for Hannover following his third knee injury of the year in August.

Right-back Cherundolo, 34, is the longest serving Bundesliga player at any club having been with Hannover since 1999, making exactly 300 appearances.

The Hannover warhorse has, however, had a challenging 2013 season so far. Ongoing knee problems have required him to undergo surgery three times and have cast doubt not only over his participation for the U.S. in Brazil, but also about his return to the pitch.

"All good, I’ll be beginning to train with the ball," the Hannover captain has told kicker. Cherundolo has last been seen on the pitch on the last match day of the 2012-13 season and has played only five Bundesliga games this season.

Earlier this month, Cherundolo told Sport Bild that he wasn’t keen to set a target for when he would like to make a comeback.

"As soon as possible and as slow as needed," he said. "I don’t like to set time frames I might not be able to keep."

Cherundolo has participated in the last three World Cups and has not given up hope of making his fourth in Brazil next year.

"I will fight until the last minute. Only when the squad list for Brazil 2014 is released and my name is not on there, I will have not reached my last goal as a professional. Until then, I will give it my all," he said.